Inclusion-body myositis (IBM) is now understood to be an important degenerative muscle disease. The sporadic type (s-IBM) is probably the most common muscle disease among those ailments that strike first in adulthood (particularly people over 50). The hereditary type (h-IBM) affects younger patients. This book is devoted entirely to s-IBM and h-IBM. Contributors discuss what is understood about the basic scientific foundations of IBMs, the varied aspects of the pathology of IBMs, and the application of clinical treatments. One particular emphasis of the book is on the hereditary aspects of IBM and genetic predispositions to the disease.